Long trip

[van vert]

We will be buying a cali 6.1 coast soon, the question is how good are they for long trips with my wife and lab, where we live in france we are only 4hrs from Spain, 9hrs from Italy for weekends away we are spoiled for choice, but one of our sons has recently moved to northern Sweden to drive no stop it will take 34hrs, so I was planning on taking 10 days, 2 weeks up there then slow drive back, but is this to long to be in the van, we are not spring chickens but far from being old gits

 

[sidepod]

We will be buying a cali 6.1 coast soon, the question is how good are they for long trips with my wife and lab, where we live in france we are only 4hrs from Spain, 9hrs from Italy for weekends away we are spoiled for choice, but one of our sons has recently moved to northern Sweden to drive no stop it will take 34hrs, so I was planning on taking 10 days, 2 weeks up there then slow drive back, but is this to long to be in the van, we are not spring chickens but far from being old gits

As comfy and easy as any car I’ve driven.

 

[Corradobrit]

Comfier than most cars I've owned tbh. Captains chair with arm rests down, ACC activated, means cruising at motorway speeds is an absolute joy. The absence of creaks and rattles also helps reduce fatigue. I travelled alone from Northern Germany to Ancona (1400km) in 1.5 days with overnight stop at the German/Austrian border and arrived at my destination with no aches or pain. You'll look forward to the long road trips. I do.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I second what @Corradobrit and @sidepod say: we are in our 70's and do long trips across Europe often and find the van perfect for comfort, plus the onboard facilities of a California make long trips even better.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Distances are a real pleasure in California's.
Southern France, Netherlands, Cologne, and I've even towed an enclosed car trailer down to Luxembourg and back, all with ease.
you should be just fine

 

[Daveb999]

Recently travelled from scotland _ Calais - La Rochelle - banes - Alicante then back up through Madrid. The Cali coast was brilliant throughout.

 

[willwander]

We’ve done a few long Europe trips.
I find the drivers seat very comfy.
Arm rest down, heated seat on, ACC on, settle in for the day, love it.

 

[Ruddster]

Regularly drive down to the Alps with 7 people in the van, often with no overnight stops. As far as I am concerned there is no better vehicle to travel long distance across Europe in. Not the most exciting thing to drive when you get to the twisty mountain roads but cruising along autoroutes and the like is really well suited for these vans. You really won't regret a long trip in a van, higher driving position and feeling of space inside the van makes it a pleasure rather than a chore.

 

[ThomasHJ]

We will be buying a cali 6.1 coast soon, the question is how good are they for long trips with my wife and lab, where we live in france we are only 4hrs from Spain, 9hrs from Italy for weekends away we are spoiled for choice, but one of our sons has recently moved to northern Sweden to drive no stop it will take 34hrs, so I was planning on taking 10 days, 2 weeks up there then slow drive back, but is this to long to be in the van, we are not spring chickens but far from being old gits

Spend 4 months in the van; 2 adults and 2 kids. You'll be just fine and make great memories.

 

[Hawthorn37]

I agree with the previous posts. We find driving the Cali is way more comfortable than driving a standard car. You’re high up, a good view of the road ahead, and we naturally fall into a relaxed manner of driving - the opposite of driving say a 2-seater sports car! Added to that, on long drives you have all the facilities on board for your stops, like a fridge, built in blinds for a quick snooze (or even the downstairs bed for an extended stop). Add a portapotti for your own ‘convenience’.

When we drive in shifts, the co-pilot can wind the seat back, add a cushion and the chair arms, and you can get well relaxed .

 

[Velma's Dad]

Yes very comfortable for long hauls. In September I solo'd a 2,200 km run to north of Denmark and back, over 72 hours (towing a 4-wheel trailer). Plenty of coffee and podcasts and you are good to go.

 

[Dyddi]

On European dual carriageways 500mls in a day is possible running at about 75mph: - depart 8.30, short break at 11, stop at 1.30/2 for lunch after 350 miles; 2 hours during the afternoon for another 150 miles, aim for overnight stop about 5pm. That's if you just want to cover distance.
Alternatively aim to break up the trip with stops at interesting places or two nights in one place for a breather, or simply aim for less mileage each day with more frequent stopping.
Tips and wrinkles to help with the distance and comfort: Take a break every 2 - 2.5 hours to include getting out and walking around. Stop for a snooze as you feel the need. Spell between two drivers. Adjust the backrest angle of the drivers seat by one notch back or forward to shift driving position each half hour. Wear sunglasses to reduce glare. Practise advance driving skills. Take turns to be the passenger who has researched the area you're passing through and can give a highlights commentary, the wittier or more obscure the better. Carry easy snacks, particularly fruit (baby tomatoes, bananas, apples) and drink water to maintain alertness. Use wet wipes to freshen up. Start looking for overnight stops well before 6pm so you can treat yourselves to a meal out as a reward for the day's accomplishment.
The above got us through annual runs Bristol to Thessaloniki / Athens / Istanbul but for long drives the most important thing is a solid night's sleep every night, and going for a hot shower before turning in is a great help.
Have a lovely time.

 

[Christopher Thomas]

We will be buying a cali 6.1 coast soon, the question is how good are they for long trips with my wife and lab, where we live in france we are only 4hrs from Spain, 9hrs from Italy for weekends away we are spoiled for choice, but one of our sons has recently moved to northern Sweden to drive no stop it will take 34hrs, so I was planning on taking 10 days, 2 weeks up there then slow drive back, but is this to long to be in the van, we are not spring chickens but far from being old gits

We’re in our late 50’s and often drive from Denmark to Italy. You shouldn’t have any problems. The farther north you get the better the roads and the traffic is much less that Central Europe.

 

[RichardH]

Agree with all the other positive posts. We are both well into our seventies and spend about 100 nights a year in our Cali. Some short trips and weekends, but also at least two longer ones of several weeks. Yorkshire to Romania earlier this year via France, Germany, Austria and Hungary, then back via Croatia, Italy and France. 20+ stops, 5,000+ miles, 6+ weeks. For us the Cali is ideal.

 

[cpaharley2008]

We did France to Norway a couple of years back and the Cali was brilliant for it - way more comfortable than a regular car for those long stretches. Just make sure you've got plenty of space sorted for the lab, ours loved having the extra room to stretch out!

 

[chockswahay]

I suspect the original poster was a one time post (?) and all comments since might just be preaching to the already converted (ain't nowt wrong with that, I'm one).

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

We will be buying a cali 6.1 coast soon, the question is how good are they for long trips with my wife and lab, where we live in france we are only 4hrs from Spain, 9hrs from Italy for weekends away we are spoiled for choice, but one of our sons has recently moved to northern Sweden to drive no stop it will take 34hrs, so I was planning on taking 10 days, 2 weeks up there then slow drive back, but is this to long to be in the van, we are not spring chickens but far from being old gits

Certainly not too long - had a 3 week drive through Sweeden in tge summer - with my wife what an amazing journey. Go for it !

 

[RonB]

A few years ago in our T5.1 Cali, a trip right around the Baltic…
10 countries
9 ferry crossings
8 weeks
7 capital cities
Perfect for 2 x seventy somethings. Go for it!

 

[WelshGas]

The OP hasn’t been back on the Forum since his original Post. Can’t be that concerned.

 

[ChrisTravel]

Agree with all the other positive posts. We are both well into our seventies and spend about 100 nights a year in our Cali. Some short trips and weekends, but also at least two longer ones of several weeks. Yorkshire to Romania earlier this year via France, Germany, Austria and Hungary, then back via Croatia, Italy and France. 20+ stops, 5,000+ miles, 6+ weeks. For us the Cali is ideal.

Brilliant would love to see the route and stops